Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Nick: What I Learned in Third Grade

June 23, 2011 · Narrative

My creation
Nick and Payton on both the first day of school (September 2010) and the last (today).

Today was Nick’s last day of third grade – hurrah!  It was a transition year for him in many ways.  He switched schools, going from a school with 121 kids to a school with 723 kids.  He had moved the year before and his parents spent the Spring getting divorced.  I am glad that Nick and I managed to make it through the school year pretty unscathed.  I rode him pretty hard about his grades, but absolutely recognize the fact that he had a lot on his plate.  New classmates.  New curriculum.  New expectations.  Some of the things he covered in second grade were things that his third grade classmates hadn’t worked on.  And prior to him coming, his new school had worked on stuff the previous year that was completely foreign to him.

He struggled with some subjects.  A lot.  Subjects that were a breeze the previous year now frustrated the heck out of him.  After we talked about his final report card yesterday, I told him, again, that I felt it was a transition year and it was ok.  We were done.  But he better kill fourth grade. No excuses.  He didn’t do terribly, I just know he could have perhaps done a little bit better.  That being said, one of his solid grades was Math, ending the year with a B.  It started with a C in the first semester.  As someone who repeated Algebra during summer school my high school Freshmen year, I couldn’t be more proud. Nor could his engineer grandfather.  Exceptionally, exceptionally proud.

Last year, I interviewed Nick about his year in second grade, and loved that new tradition, so last night over dinner, I quizzed both kids on their takes for this year.  Since Madeline’s last day is officially tomorrow, her interview will come next week.

What was your favorite part of third grade?
Meeting Dan and recess.  Oh, and art class too.

What was your least favorite part of third grade?
Doing the endangered species project.

What will you miss about school over the summer?
Playing at recess (um, right, because there is absolutely no playing during the summertime!).

What do you want to be when you grow up?
An artist or a famous cook (I could not possibly have loved this child more than when he said “cook”).

What are some things you learned in third grade?
Division, multiplication and practicing my cursive writing more.

What excites you about going to fourth grade?
Learning long division and making new friends (because each grade level has six or seven classes, they mix them up each year so he will be with mostly new kids).

We are both happy that school is done and the summer is here.  Tomorrow we’ll make our Summer Bucket List (and will share next week) and our End-of-School-Year Rainbow Cake Party is this weekend.

There will be a Friday night post here tomorrow.  I could not be more behind in topics and drafts and photos and, you know, life.  A few readers have asked questions over the past few months, and I owe answers.  Apparently if I don’t answer right away, I can’t be trusted to remember to answer later.  A thousand apologies!  I know I owe sources from my shoes, a shirt of Madeline’s and jeans.  If you’ve asked a question that I haven’t answered yet (or have a new one), please leave it here in the comment section and I’ll do my best to include it tomorrow night.

Until then.

June 23, 2011 – Bonus Photo
The Three Musketeers

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Posted In: Narrative

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    June 24, 2011 at 6:31 am

    Happy end of school year! It sounds like Nick has the right attitude towards school which is definitely the most important thing to help him do even BETTER next year. (And to be fair…how often do you ever REALLY use long division in real life?)

    Reply
  2. Ramona says

    June 24, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    That’s a good picture of all of you.

    Reply
  3. Susan Fine says

    June 24, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    Sounds like it was a very good year in many ways. I am a little surprised about letter grades in third grade! Wow. My kids get comments and numbers, which I guess can translate into some kind of letter grades, but the numbers are supposed to indicate “needs improvement” or “developing” and I think something such as “developing” makes a whole lot of sense of these little guys. I have one son who just finished fourth grade, so I still remember third pretty clearly. I think it’s quite a big year in school with much of the “learning to read” focus shifting to a “reading to learn,” and it sounds like overall Nick had a very good year. Very good developing, yes? Happy summer!

    Reply
  4. Kris #40 says

    June 24, 2011 at 8:45 pm

    I can’t believe how much they grew over the year!
    Love the three of u together!

    Reply
  5. Denise says

    June 28, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    Looks like a gigantic learning year for all! I have a bone to pick with the school for already going letter grades in the 3rd grade. There is too much pressure on these academically at this age. Wonderful picture of you and your family.

    Reply

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Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.

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Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meal Truth be told, these are my favorite types of meals… platters where you can just pick at them while sipping wine and catching up with a friend. Chances are, if you come over for a meal, you’re getting an assortment of things to nosh on, maybe a mix of homemade appetizers… but just an array of deliciousness you can snack on whilst enjoying the evening. 

I’ve been wanting to make a lox platter for awhile now, so here we are. I sprinkled some Everything But the Bagel seasoning onto smoked lox and then added sliced cucumbers and radishes to the platter along with sliced bialys and crackers. Dipping items are a must so I included hummus and tzatziki. A fun platter just to nibble from, but a bialys sandwich with everything stuffed in it was pretty perfect too. Hope that gave you a little bit of inspo for something you can easily whip up too!
I had planned another type of post tonight, but in I had planned another type of post tonight, but in light of today’s news, it just doesn’t feel right. Some days it can be hard to find the sunshine, especially a day like today. I can’t make sense as to why things like today continue to happen while people spend copious amounts of energy worrying about banning books and drag shows. Make it make sense. Just make it fucking make sense. It doesn’t. You can’t. Until it does, use your voice. Show up to meetings. Sign the petitions. Text ACT to 644-33 to get involved (I did). Be so loud that you can’t be ignored, until things change. Thirteen school shootings this year. When is enough, enough?
Weekend photos in review, old school edition. Cont Weekend photos in review, old school edition.
Context: 1) Lola has zero chill in the car, 2) fulfilling request for Chicken Parm Penne with Vodka Sauce, 3) Sunday vibes 4) my favorite porchetta sandwich 5) from @butlerandtheboard 6) affirmations, 7) the sun was out today
Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what Just like the moon, you’re whole no matter what phase you’re in. ✨ Got this one back in September and it’s one of my favorites. I sometimes forget it’s there until I get a random flash of it.
Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to ca Happy #NationalPuppyDay to these two. I used to call Clifford an asshat, because he basically was. But there’s a new asshat in town… 🙄 Clifford is now a freaking rockstar. His tumor and age have slowed him down a LOT and he virtually never misbehaves, and we are seriously so proud of him. Lola, on the other hand, is still full blown PUPPY. Tonight I’m assembling a gate to replace the wooden one she ate through. 😂 Berners love wood and she is OBSESSED with being in the kitchen. So one new metal gate coming right up as soon as I can figure out how to put it together.
Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!

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